The Green Bay Packers are above .500 for the first time this season, and they're about to ride a winning wave. After playing three consecutive road games, they will have four of their next six at Lambeau Field. They also get a bye at the ideal time—Week 10—before they play all three of their NFC North road games in the second half.

That gives them plenty of time to re-establish themselves as a surefire playoff team. And with games against the Chicago Bears (5-1) and New York Giants (5-2) looming, they should remain confident, at 4-3, they can still win the division and even challenge for a top-two seed.

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Brandon Weeden has his go-to guy, and it happens to be a fellow rookie — a supplemental draft pick at that. Gordon already is turning out to be a steal, and watch out when he’s more polished. (Scott R. Galvin/AP)

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The long-distance connection between Cam Newton and Smith just hasn’t been there like it was last season. It’s hard to see the combo succeeding much this week against the Bears, who take away big plays. (Bob Leverone/AP)

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Jackson is starting to earn every bit of his free-agent contract. Initially, he was opening up things for Mike Williams. Now, he’s starting to take over as Josh Freeman’s all-around game-breaker. (Brian Blanco/AP)

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The Titans have a talented corps of receivers, but their real home run ability remains in the backfield. They hope Johnson’s big-play display at Buffalo is a sign he’s ready to get on a roll. (Bill Wippert/AP)

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Mark Sanchez misses Santonio Holmes, but Kerley is helping to fill the void with his speed and ability to get open while streaking down the sidelines.

(Elise Amendola/AP)

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22. Detroit Lions (21)

Big playmaker: WR Calvin Johnson

The Matthew Stafford-to-Calvin Johnson touchdown drought will end soon in a big way. With Nate Burleson out for the season, it’s on Titus Young and Ryan Broyles to show they can be consistent complements.

(David Maialetti/Philadelphia Daily News/AP)

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21. St. Louis Rams (20)

Big playmaker: WR Chris Givens

The Rams’ receiving corps hasn’t been completely lost without Danny Amendola. Givens, a rookie from Wake Forest who is built for the fast track at the Edward Jones Dome, makes a big play in every game.

(Seth Perlman/AP)

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20. New Orleans Saints (22)

Big playmaker: WR Joe Morgan

Morgan has taken over the role Meachem once held in New Orleans, and after his dazzling touchdown catch in Tampa Bay, you can bet Drew Brees will go to him more often.

(Brian Blanco/AP)

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19. Cincinnati Bengals (18)

Big playmaker: WR A.J. Green

The Bengals, early in the season, were able to spread the ball around when Green was double- and triple-covered. The bye week comes at a good time to help slumping quarterback Andy Dalton.

(Tony Dejak/AP)

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18. San Diego Chargers (19)

Big playmaker: WR Robert Meachem

The Chargers have yet to see the full force of Meachem, the former Saint, as a big-play receiver. With Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates occupying defenses, the shots from Philip Rivers will be there.

(Bill Haber/AP)

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17. Miami Dolphins (17)

Big playmaker: WR Brian Hartline

Hartline is the speed receiver in Miami’s offense, and given he’s Ryan Tannehill’s favorite target so far, he figures to get more attention. That should help Davone Bess on the other side.

(Michael Keating/AP)

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16. Philadelphia Eagles (15)

Big playmaker: WR DeSean Jackson

Jeremy Maclin scored on a big play before the Week 7 bye, and now it’s time for the Eagles to unleash Jackson. If the deep ball from Michael Vick isn’t working, there should be an open field after the catch.

(Andre L. Smith/The Wilmington News-Journal/AP)

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15. Arizona Cardinals (13)

Big playmaker: WR Larry Fitzgerald

The Cardinals have seen Fitzgerald get more attention than ever before, so it’s a good thing Andre Roberts has emerged as a legitimate complementary receiver.

(Jim Mone/AP)

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14. Dallas Cowboys (16)

Big playmaker: WR Dez Bryant

Miles Austin and Jason Witten are Tony Romo’s trusted route-running veterans, but Bryant’s game-breaking ability makes it a lot easier for them to get open in the middle of the field.

(Chuck Burton/AP)

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13. Washington Redskins (12)

Big playmaker: WR Santana Moss

With Pierre Garcon ailing with a foot problem, the grand old Moss has proved he still has the speed to help Robert Griffin III deliver long touchdowns. He’ll be more important underneath with Fred Davis out for the season.

(Bill Kostroun/AP)

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12. Seattle Seahawks (11)

Big playmaker: WR Sidney Rice

The Seahawks have some sneaky wideouts who can stretch the field for Russell Wilson. Rice has been able to come back healthy and take the place of the true No. 1 again.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

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11. Minnesota Vikings (14)

Big playmaker: WR Percy Harvin

The Vikings love getting the ball to Harvin in every situation, and they need to be unfazed when he gets bottled up early. With his slippery ability after the catch and during returns, any touch can go the distance.

(Kiichiro Sato/AP)

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10. Pittsburgh Steelers (10)

Big playmaker: WR Mike Wallace

Ben Roethlisberger wants to rely more on the deep element because he has a speedster such as Wallace. Wallace, in turn, could help out his QB by showing more consistent hands.

(Michael Keating/AP)

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9. Denver Broncos (9)

Big playmaker: WR Demaryius Thomas

For key third-down and red-zone chances, Peyton Manning likes Eric Decker. When it’s time to burn the defense for a huge chunk, it’s Thomas. That wide screen to him has been lethal, given his speed.

(Lenny Ignelzi/AP)

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8. New England Patriots (8)

Big playmaker: WR Wes Welker

The Patriots really haven’t been able to hit home runs with Tom Brady this season, so it’s back to Welker as their wideout source of long gains, either on deep patterns or with yards after the catch.

(Stephan Savoia/AP)

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7. Baltimore Ravens (3)

Big playmaker: WR Torrey Smith

The Ravens need to be careful about getting too predictable when they throw to Smith, which usually is on vertical passes along the sidelines. Joe Flacco has the arm to get it to him anywhere but can’t force it.

(Jose Yau/The Waco Tribune-Herald/AP)

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6. Chicago Bears (7)

Big playmaker: WR Devin Hester

The presence of Brandon Marshall has opened opportunities on the other side of the field. Hester provides big-play juice after the catch for Jay Cutler.

(Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

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5. Green Bay Packers (6)

Big playmaker: WR Jordy Nelson

Nelson has reasserted himself as a big-time threat with his size and speed. He continues to eat up single coverage—especially on the patented back-shoulder fades from Rodgers.

(Tom Gannam/AP)

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4. San Francisco 49ers (5)

Big playmaker: TE Vernon Davis

The Niners were able to beat Seattle without getting the ball to Davis once, but that needs to change. Although defenses are focusing on taking him away, the 49ers need to be creative in getting him open.

(Tony Avelar/AP)

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3. New York Giants (2)

Big playmaker: WR Victor Cruz

There’s really nothing Cruz can’t do for Eli Manning. He’s been tough on third down and in the red zone, and he still has plenty of long-distance dance moves left—just ask the Redskins.

Matt Ryan has moved the ball just fine with Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. But coming out of their Week 7 bye, the Falcons need to find a way to stretch the field more with Jones, despite the attention he draws.